U2, Too

According to the Toronto Star headline writers, U2 blew the roof off of the Rogers Centre last night (I still think of that venue as the SkyDome). Actually, the weather has been so dry these last 18 days, the Dome's roof was wide open for the event – treating downtown T-dot to U2's tunes. Torstar had this to say,

It's a satisfying spectacle, with enviable musicianship – Edge the most dominant, with his intense ringing sound on electric guitar (and a deft acoustic turn on "Stay (Faraway, So Close)" – fantastic sound and consistent energy and emotion. They made use of the stage, wandering its outer rim and running across the moving bridges. Even drummer Larry Mullen Jr. left his kit at one point to walk around playing portable congas.

Bono, as limber physically as he was vocally, was jumping, skipping, spinning with arms outstretched.

@DashHouse: Wow. I'm a U2 fan and that concert still blew my mind. They are at the top of their game. #U2360

UPDATE: Triple D goes back for a second helping. Whatta guy. (GA = General Admission)

@DashHouse: In the lineup. Yes, I'm going again. This time general admission. http://twitpic.com/i31e1

I saw U2 a few years back – well 17.5 to be exact, and wrote about it here when I was promoting another North East Atlantic band, Elbow (and the sonic quality of their Seldom Seen Kid album).

I remember two live music experiences at the same Toronto venue in the last millenium – five days apart. (If the great google god is correct – March 19th and March 24th, 1992 respectively.) The first was Dire Straits. The sound was amazing – when they played quietly they were quiet – when they played passionately and full-on, they were loud. U2's Zoo TV, five nights later, was a different story. Whether a quiet tune or full-on, the sound pressure levels were the same – compressed to death. There were no dynamics. It was painful to listen to – even if the tunes were great.

Apparently that's not the case on this tour as the Star reviewer says – "fantastic sound." Maybe having the roof open helped. I saw Dire Straits and U2 in that old hockey barn, Maple Leaf Gardens – and the U2 sound engineers just couldn't make that old barn ring true. (Oddly enough, I'm listening to Mark Knopfler's fantastic new album, Get Lucky, as I type this. And loving it. If you are interested, buy the digital download from Knopfler's site as you get extras iTunes doesn't offer.)

The Kinnon boys and a group of their friends (whose bodies litter the floors of our loft) head down to the U2 show tonight. I'll update this post with their feedback.

My buddy, Gerry and his son, Jason, are in town for the show, as well, from points west and wanted me to join them. I said I was too old. Now I'm regretting my decision. Perhaps it's just that I still haven't found what I'm looking for, eh. I'm having breakfast with Gerry in the morning, and will add his thoughts. (He's just a bit younger than moi.)

BTW: Mike Todd has the video of the U2 EPK (Electronic Press Kit) @ his blog, if you want to see what U2 is providing the media for interview footage and B-roll.